Transportable photographic booth

ABSTRACT

Portable equipment for taking identification photographs, capable of being mounted on a wall or on the container used for carrying it, comprises a base, provided with a bracket for connection to a support frame and having a guide on which a sliding block can slide upwards and downwards, a motor unit fixed to the base for moving the sliding block on the guide, an upright fixed on the sliding block, a horizontally extending frame supported by the upright and in turn supporting sheet holders and corresponding vertical background sheets for a posing space, at least three digital video cameras aimed towards the posing space for simultaneously photographing the face of a subject from the front and in profile, and for recording the face in three instantaneous images in digital form.

The present invention relates to portable equipment for takingidentification photographs, capable of being mounted on a wall or on thecontainer used for carrying it.

The increasing demand for security in present-day society makes personalidentification apparatus ever more necessary. Particularly as a resultof well-known phenomena of migration, persons detained for routineidentification are increasingly often found to possess no documents.This makes it necessary to take identification photographs of detainedpersons.

It is known that there are central police offices for personalidentification in which identification photographs are also taken, butthese are not sufficient to carry out the vast quantity of work requiredof them, this work also entailing the transport of detained persons tothese central offices.

To resolve this problem, one object of the invention is to providereliable and easily operated equipment for taking identificationphotographs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide equipment fortaking identification photographs which is easily transportable toplaces where it is required, and can also be used in a fixed location.

Another object of the invention is to enable identification photographsto be taken without the need for closed environments.

A further object of the invention is to permit the very rapiddismantling and reassembly of equipment for taking identificationphotographs.

What is provided according to the present invention is portableequipment for taking identification photographs, capable of beingmounted on a wall or on the container used for carrying it, theequipment comprising:

a vertically extending base, provided with a bracket for connection to asupport frame and having a prismatic pair, with a longitudinal guideintegral with the base and a sliding block which is slidable upwards anddownwards by vertical movement means under the control of limitswitches,

a motor unit, fixed to the base and comprising motor means and means oftransmitting the motion to the means for the vertical movement of thesliding block along the guide,

an upright fixed on the sliding block and provided with an ultrasonicheight meter;

a horizontally extending frame supported by the upright and in turnsupporting:

sheet holders and corresponding vertical background sheets for a posingspace, of which two lateral sheets are positioned opposite each other,each having a central aperture, and a third, rear sheet is positionedorthogonally with respect to the first two sheets;

at least three digital video cameras, with corresponding lamps forillumination, namely a front video camera opposite the third cloth andtwo lateral video cameras passing through the corresponding centralapertures of the two lateral cloths, the at least three video camerasbeing aimed toward the posing space for simultaneously photographing theface of a subject frontally and in profile from both sides, and forrecording it in three instantaneous images in digital form;

a control device, comprising a microprocessor connected for operationvia a control card to the motor means, the limit sensors, the ultrasonicheight gauge, the illuminating lamps of the video cameras and the videocameras themselves, and connected to an operating device for taking,selecting and storing the identification photographs.

The present invention will now be described with reference to itsembodiments, with reference to the figures of the attached drawing, inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of the equipmentfixed by means of a frame to a fixed wall;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the embodiment of theequipment mounted on its carrying container;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view front the above of the equipment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a front view, taken in the direction of the arrow F, of theequipment of FIG. 2, with parts shown as transparent for convenience ofdescription;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic functional block diagram of the equipmentaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the closed container of theequipment;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic front view of the equipment partiallydismantled and housed in the case of its portable container; and

FIG. 8 shows a schematic front view of the equipment partiallydismantled, the remainder of the equipment being housed in a lid of theportable container shown in FIG. 7.

With reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment ofthe equipment, mounted, respectively, on a wall (shown in a side view),and on its carrying container (shown in perspective). In theillustration, the number 1 indicates a vertically extending base, 2indicates a motor unit, 3 indicates an upright, and 4 indicates ahorizontally extending frame for holding video cameras and backgroundsheets to form a posing space.

As shown also with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, which are, respectively,a plan view from above and a front view of the equipment according tothe invention mounted on its container, the vertically extending base 1is in the shape of a flattened parallelepiped. As shown in FIG. 1, thebase 1 has a face 10 to which is fixed a connecting bracket 11 for asupport frame 12 on a wall P.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the base 1 is fixed by means ofthe connecting bracket 11 to a support frame 13 (shown more clearly inFIG. 2) forming part of the structure of a container 5 of the equipment.

The connecting bracket 11, essentially shaped in the form of thecharacter Ω, to create a space between the base and the support frame,can be mounted very rapidly by means of knurled screws 15.

The base 1 has narrow vertical sides 16, on which corresponding guides17, of the dovetail type for example, are mounted. The base 1 also has afront face 18 on which a movement device 6 for the upright 3 is mounted,as explained below.

The motor unit 2 is integral with the base 1, as shown more clearly inFIGS. 2 and 4. The motor unit 2 contains an electric motor (not shown)whose shaft 20 projects toward the front. A belt 21 runs round a pulley22 keyed on the shaft 20 and round a pulley 23, having a greaterdiameter than the pulley 22, keyed on a shaft 24 mounted on said motorunit 2.

A pulley 60 of the movement device of the upright 3 is mounted on saidshaft 24, at the opposite end to the pulley 23.

A toothed belt 61 is made to run round the pulley 60 and round a pulley62 mounted on an upper part of the base 1.

A sliding block 63 is fixed on one side of the toothed belt 61 in such away that it moves upwards and downwards with the belt, according to thedirection of rotation of the motor shaft 20 of the motor unit 2. Themovement of the sliding block 63 is controlled by limit switches 64 and65 (shown schematically in FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 3, the sliding block 63 has prismatic elements 66engaging with the dovetail guides 17 of the base 1.

The base of the upright 3 is fixed to the sliding block 63. The upright3, fixed to the sliding block 63, preferably consists of two paralleltubular elements 30 and 31, held together by the sliding block 63 and byat least one other similar interconnecting element 32.

Additional tubular extension elements 33 and 34 (FIGS. 2 and 4) can beinserted into the tubular elements 30 and 31, the additional elementsbeing interconnected by a top cap 35, fixed with knurled screws 36 and37 to the tubular elements 33 and 34. An ultrasonic height meter of aconventional type is fixed on the upright.

A first video camera 7 is fixed on the top cap 35 by means of a rearsupport 70, with the aid of knurled screws indicated in a general way by71.

The top cap 35 has opposing orthogonal connectors 38 and 39 into whichare inserted first arms 40 and 41 of the horizontally extending frame 4.The arms 40 and 41 are made individually in the form of a pair oftubular elements inserted into the opposing connectors 38 and 39 of thetop cap 35 and retained there by means of knurled screws, indicated in ageneral way by 42.

At the ends of the arms 40 and 41 there are mounted connectors,indicated in a general way by 43, for angular connection tocorresponding second arms 44 and 45, orthogonal to the first arms, ofthe horizontal frame 4. The ends of the arms 44 and 45 holdcorresponding video cameras, namely a second video camera 72 and a thirdvideo camera 73, positioned vertically and fixed with knurled screws 71.The video cameras 72 and 73 are the side video cameras.

The second arms 44 and 45 of the frame 4 support sheet holders,indicated in a general way by 8, and corresponding vertical backgroundsheets, indicated by 90, 91 and 92 respectively, to form aparallelepipedal posing space indicated by 9 in FIGS. 2 to 4, withinwhich the person's face must be positioned for the identificationphotograph.

Each sheet holder 8 comprises at least one pair of facing top bars 80and 81, supported by pairs of vertical angled rods, indicated in ageneral way by 82 and 83. The lower ends of the angled rods 82 and 83are inserted in corresponding holes formed in the lateral arms 44 and 45and their upper ends are inserted in through holes indicated in ageneral way by 84.

Simple elastic clamping means (not shown in the drawing) for the sheetsare provided on the pairs of bars. Each sheet has upper supporting rods93 and lower stretching rods 94. The rods can pass through slots formedin the upper and lower edges of the sheets.

The central sheet 90 is positioned in front of the video camera 70, andpreferably has an elongated upper rod 93 which can rest on the free endsof the bars 80 and 81 to form a link between them. The two side sheets91 and 92 have their upper rods 93 gripped in a parallel configurationby the elastic clamps of the corresponding side bars 80 and 81.

The side sheets 91 and 92 are provided with central apertures, throughwhich the front parts of the side video cameras 72 and 73 pass.

The video cameras 7, 72 and 73 are digital video cameras, provided withcorresponding illuminating lamps. The video cameras are aimed toward theposing space 9, and can photograph the face of a subject simultaneouslyfrom the front and in profile from both sides. The three images, indigital form, are recorded at the same instant and stored.

With reference to FIG. 5, this shows a block diagram indicating thegeneral outlines of the operating connections. In this figure, thenumber 100 indicates the whole of a control device, preferably installedin the motor unit of the equipment and comprising a microprocessor(block 101) connected for operation by means of a control card to themotor (block 102), the limit switches 64 and 65 (block 103), theultrasonic height meter (block 104), the video camera illumination lamps(block 105) and the central video camera (block 105) and side videocameras (blocks 106 and 107). The control device is connected to anoperating device (block 109) of a known type for taking, selecting andstoring the identification photographs.

When the equipment according to the invention is to be installed where afixed supporting structure cannot be used, its container acts as apedestal as shown clearly in the figures. The container 5, which hasrigid walls and is easily transportable, has a case 50 and a lid 51 onwhich the base 1 is removably fixed. The lid 51 is joined to the case 50by means of what are known as gas springs, and the two parts have feet53 on their adjacent narrow sides 54 and 55. When closed, the containerof the equipment appears as shown in FIG. 6.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 7 and 8, which are front views ofthe case 50 and lid 51 of the portable container 5, with the equipmenthoused inside it. The upright extensions 33 and 34, the correspondingtop cap 35 in one of its variant designs, with corresponding screws 36and 37, the sheet support bars 8, the rolled-up sheets 90, 91 and 92,the video cameras 7, 71 and 72, the upright frame arms 40 and 41 in asingle tube version, a horizontal arm 70 for the central video camera,and smaller upright extensions 58 and 59 are housed on suitablehorizontal racks 56 and 57 in the case 50.

Additional feet 110, 110, which can be opened by means of hinged arms111, 111 about their fixing bracket 112 to extend the lid support area,are shown in the lid 51. The arms 111 are retained by correspondingstops 113, 113. Holders for the side arms of the frame 44 and 45, theupper sheet support bars 80 and 81, and auxiliary cables in an envelope114 are stored in the lid 51. The base 1 and the motor unit 2 are fixedon the support frame as indicated in outline by the broken lines.

1. Portable equipment for taking identification photographs, capable ofbeing mounted on a wall or on the container used for carrying it, theequipment comprising: vertically extending base, provided with a bracketfor connection to a support frame and having a prismatic pair, with alongitudinal guide integral with the base and a sliding block which isslidable upwards and downwards by vertical movement means under thecontrol of limit switches; a motor unit, fixed to the base andcomprising motor means and means of transmitting the motion to the meansfor the vertical movement of the sliding block along the guide, anupright fixed on the sliding block and provided with an ultrasonicheight meter; a horizontally extending frame supported by the uprightand in turn supporting: sheet holders and corresponding verticalbackground sheets for a posing space, of which two lateral sheets arepositioned opposite each other, each having a central aperture, and athird, rear sheet is positioned orthogonally with respect to the firsttwo sheets; at least three digital video cameras, with correspondinglamps for illumination, namely a front video camera opposite the thirdcloth and two lateral video cameras passing through the correspondingcentral apertures of the two lateral cloths, the at least three videocameras being aimed toward the posing space for simultaneouslyphotographing the face of a subject frontally and in profile from bothsides, and for recording it in three instantaneous images in digitalform; a control device, comprising a microprocessor connected foroperation via a control card to the motor means, the limit sensors, theultrasonic height gauge, the illuminating lamps of the video cameras andthe video cameras themselves, and connected to an operating device fortaking, selecting and storing the identification photographs.
 2. Theportable equipment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that saidvertically extending base is in the shape of a flattened parallelepiped,having one face opposite the posing space to which is fixed the bracketfor connection to the support frame, sides with dovetail guides engagingwith corresponding profiles for the sliding of the sliding block; andone face, pointing towards the posing space, on which are mountedvertical movement means in the form of a toothed belt integral with thesliding block, running round corresponding end pulleys.
 3. The portableequipment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the motor meansof the motor unit comprise an electric motor, whose shaft projects fromthe motor unit on the opposite side to the posing space, and the meansof transmitting the motion to the means for the vertical movement of thesliding block include a flexible transmission between a pulley integralwith the shaft of the electric motor and a pulley associated with saidmovement means.
 4. The portable equipment as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the upright fixed on the sliding block consists oftwo parallel tubular elements, additional tubular elementsinterconnected by the sliding block and by at least one other transversestiffening member, including a top cap carrying the front video camera.5. The portable equipment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in thatsaid horizontally extending frame comprises first arms connectedlaterally to the upright and extending into second arms, orthogonal tothe first, each of which carries a side video camera and correspondingsheet holders.
 6. The portable equipment as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that each sheet holder comprises at least one pair offacing upper bars supported by a corresponding multiplicity of pairs ofvertical rods with their lower ends inserted in said lateral arms; thelateral background sheets, reinforced at the top and bottom by rods,being gripped parallel to the corresponding lateral bars, while the rearsheet is supported by the ends of the bars.
 7. The portable equipment asclaimed in claim 1, characterized in that the bracket for connection tothe support frame is in the shape of the character Ω and is connected tothe frame by means of knurled screws.
 8. The portable equipment asclaimed in claim 1, characterized in that the base support frame isfixed to a wall of a building.
 9. The portable equipment as claimed inclaim 1, characterized in that the base support frame is fixed to theinner part of the lid of a flattened parallelepipedal container withrigid walls, comprising a case to which the lid is hinged, thiscontainer acting when opened as a pedestal for the equipment.
 10. Theportable equipment as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the lidand the case of the container are interconnected by gas springs, thecase and the lid having feet on their adjacent narrow sides.
 11. Theportable equipment as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that thecontainer comprises, on one narrow side of the lid, additional feetwhich can be opened by means of hinged brackets to increase theirsupporting surface.
 12. The portable equipment as claimed in claim 9,characterized in that the case has racks for the storage of uprightextensions, the corresponding top cap, sheet holding rods, sheets, videocameras, upright frame arms, and a horizontal arm for the central videocamera.
 13. The portable equipment as claimed in claim 9, characterizedin that the lid of the case contains lateral arms of the frame, topsheet holder bars and auxiliary cables.